Cassell brings defensive mentality to special teams play (video)

Oregon redshirt freshman Rahim Cassell is a linebacker, and so he likes running fast and hitting hard — thus, kickoff coverage is his favorite job on special teams.

But he can't afford to play favorites, because Cassell plays on all four of Oregon's most high-profile special teams units: kickoff, kickoff return, punt and punt return.

In that regard, Cassell is unique for the Ducks this season, at least through two games. Typically there's just one or two guys per year able to do so; you've got to be versatile enough to help in all four, but not such a high-profile guy on offense or defense that your reps need to be saved for those situations.

Rather than showering praise on Cassell for his contributions, Chip Kelly said today that's what he would expect of such a player.

"You've got two older kids playing linebacker, in Kiko (Alonso) and Michael Clay, then that's where he's got to make an impact right now, is on special teams, and he's done a nice job of it," Kelly said.

To my memory, the guys who've been mature enough to take on the responsibility of all four special teams have been older guys, such as Marvin Johnson or Bryson Littlejohn later in their careers. But again, Kelly said Cassell is simply doing what's expected of him.

"We expect our redshirt freshman, if you're doing things the right way, to play all four special teams," Kelly said. "That's what we're asking them to do so that guys like Michael Clay and Kiko can get a break."